The Middle East bedside book

the long version

This volume a collection of stories and information about the Middle East, edited by Anglo-Afghan author, Tahir Shah. This work contains proverbs, etiquette, information and ideas to have come out of the Middle East, and Arab culture. The editor's standing as someone who straddles the East and the West enables him to see both societies in a way that others are maybe unable to observe. Among the material included are teaching stories on the subjects of chivalry at honor, bravery and courage, such as the Tale of Hatim Tai. There is mention, too, that King Offa of Mercia struck a gold dinar (now found in London's British Museum) stating in Arabic the epithet, 'There is no God but Allah'. The collection also shows that Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dante and others drew upon Arab sources in their work.